GCB Bank, Ghana’s biggest indigenous financial institution, has received two major honours at the 2025 Project Management Excellence Awards. The bank was recognised for its outstanding work in rolling out a USSD platform that is helping to bring financial services closer to the people.
At the award ceremony, which took place at Aqua Safari Resort in Ada, GCB Bank was named the winner of the “Bank Project of the Year.” It also walked away as the first runner-up in the prestigious “Overall Project of the Year” category. The awards were presented during the annual conference organised by the Project Management Institute (PMI) Ghana, a respected body known for promoting excellence in project management across the country.
The bank was applauded for how it executed the development and deployment of its Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) platform. This platform allows customers, especially those without smartphones or internet access, to carry out banking transactions using simple mobile phones. By dialling a short code, customers can send money, check balances, and access other services. This move is seen as a major step toward financial inclusion, particularly for rural communities and low-income earners.
According to the bank’s Project Management Office (PMO), the recognition is a result of hard work, careful planning, and strong teamwork across several departments. The PMO revealed that the award came after a rigorous selection process, where several bank and corporate projects from across the country were assessed based on technical excellence, innovation, impact on society, and sustainability.
Managing Director of GCB Bank, Mr. Farihan Alhassan, was also praised for his leadership in driving the bank’s digital transformation agenda. Under his guidance, GCB has been shifting from traditional banking methods to digital solutions that make banking more accessible and efficient.
“This award reflects our commitment to innovation, excellence, and customer service. It also motivates us to continue improving the way we deliver value to Ghanaians,” said the PMO in a statement after the event.
GCB Bank, which was established in 1953, has grown to become Ghana’s largest local bank with over 184 branches and 340 ATMs nationwide. With its slogan “Your Bank for Life,” the bank has been focusing on initiatives that not only improve its services but also enhance the everyday lives of its customers. The introduction of the USSD platform is one of many efforts to deepen financial inclusion and bring the unbanked population into the formal banking sector.
Industry experts say GCB’s win may inspire other banks in West Africa to launch similar USSD platforms, especially in regions where smartphone penetration and internet access remain low. By showing that innovation can be simple, cost-effective, and inclusive, GCB Bank is helping to reshape how financial services are delivered in Africa.
In recent years, the bank has also expanded into key sectors like oil and gas, as well as agriculture. These sectors are critical to Ghana’s economy, and GCB’s involvement shows its broader commitment to national development. With the success of the USSD platform and the awards to back it, the bank’s credibility in managing large-scale digital projects has received a significant boost.
The Project Management Excellence Awards are an annual event designed to recognise organisations that demonstrate best practices in planning, execution, and innovation in project delivery. Winning such a competitive award confirms that GCB Bank is not only a financial giant but also a leader in technology-driven solutions and project management.
GCB’s recent recognition strengthens its position as a forward-thinking bank that is ready to lead Ghana and the sub-region into the future of modern banking. Customers, regulators, and industry stakeholders alike will be watching closely to see how the bank builds on this momentum.
